June 29, 1998
CHRISTIAN LEGEND DRAWS FOLK TO FOLD
By DONNA CASEY -- Ottawa Sun
They came in buses, cars and even planes.
But the thousands of people who flocked to the Corel Centre over the weekend quickly became members in one united and resounding chorus -- all praising Ottawa's hugely successful Billy Graham Mission.
Of the thousands of mission-goers who flocked to five events over the four-day crusade, many were repeat visitors.
Thousands displayed the patience of Job yesterday afternoon as they waited for the gates of the Corel Centre to open for the mission's final service.
A long line of sun-drenched faithful snaked around the concert's overflow area, with many people armed with umbrellas and fortified with coolers packed with sandwiches and juice.
George and Hennie Velema were sipping iced tea in a shady spot outside the arena before taking their places in the 2,700-voice choir.
"It's been so thrilling. There is so much meaning you get from singing in such a large group. It's been really uplifting," said Hennie, who lives in Avonmore near Cornwall.
Graham's disarming manner impressed Hennie on the two nights she sang in the choir.
"He's very homey, almost grandfatherly ... He makes you feel comfortable and you get the feeling he's really sincere, that he's not just doing his schtick. He's just plain Billy," said Hennie, who sings with her husband in the Cornwall Centennial choir.
Others made a special journey to see what is expected to be one of Graham's last Canadian visits.
Iva Gilks-Farkas and Pauline MacKenzie flew in from Fredericton on Friday to catch Graham in the flesh, taking in Saturday's youth concert and last night's mission finale.
"To see that floor filled with young people was quite amazing, and the crowd outside waiting in line singing and entertaining each other was quite a thing," said MacKenzie.
John Harwood, ready with lawn blankets and sunscreen, drove from Sarnia with his wife Cheryl and his children Scott and Nadia to hear Graham speak yesterday.
"The man's a legend to Christians and it will probably be the last opportunity to see him here live," said Harwood.
Some teens answered Graham's invitation on Saturday to return for the mission's last service.
"I saw my friend get saved last night and that was really cool," said Orleans resident Ellison Owen, 14, who worked as a youth counsellor on Saturday night.
Rod Bennett, pastor of the Chinese United Church of Ottawa, arrived with different members of his church for the four evening services.
"People in Ottawa have been looking for a spiritual event. They've been looking for a revival and it's been long overdue," said Bennett.
About 90 people from Bennett's church joined the mission's services, including one member who worked as a Mandarin translator for the crusade's foreign language services.
Bennett said Graham's status as one of Christianity's top ambassadors was also a strong draw for his parishioners.
Business at the Corel Centre's two restaurants has been brisk during the mission.
"We found that the take-out has certainly increased," said Hard Rock Cafe manager Christine Medynski. "Everyone who comes to a hockey game knows the routine, that you may wait an hour for a table, but this crowd's been a bit different. Everyone is concerned about getting a seat and a 15-minute wait is too long."
Marshy's Bar-B-Que and Grill has seen steady business too, with owner Brad Marsh seeing many of his hockey and concert patrons coming through with the mission.